Council of Elrond

The Council of Elrond[1] was held in Rivendell on October 25, 3018 of the Third Age (1418 TA in the Shire reckoning)[2]. Its main purpose was to discuss what was to be done regarding the One Ring. It had been forged by Sauron long ago in an attempt to control all the other Rings of Power. It had long been lost in the Andean River before its finding, and was hidden long within the Misty Mountains while in the possession of Gollum. Bilbo Baggins had stumbled onto it when he was lost in the caves of the mountains, after Gollum had lost it. This is recorded in Bilbo's journeys recorded in The Hobbit[3]. When Bilbo left the Shire, he passed the ring on to Frodo Baggins,[4] his nephew and heir. Frodo had brought it to Rivendell at Gandalf’s persuasion, as Sauron learned of its finding when he had captured Gollum, and was earnestly seeking to recover it again to restore its great power to himself.

The meeting of the Council seemed almost ‘accidental’. No invitations for a meeting of any kind had been sent, yet of the good peoples of the races of Dwarves, Men, and Elves, as well as the Hobbits and Istari - all were on hand and represented.

Gimli of the Dwarves, Legolas of the Elves, and Boromir of Men, (along with others of each race) had come on what they thought to be business matters of their own. But their concerns about unsettling news and events that they saw happening had them venture to Rivendell to seek the wise counsel of Elrond Half-elven. They did not yet know of the One Ring’s finding some seventy seven (77) years before. (The Dwarves however had been visited by emissaries of Sauron seeking Bilbo and his ring).

For the Hobbits, Bilbo was already at Rivendell, having gone there after his eleventy-first birthday party, and attended the Council with Frodo. They and Gandalf of the Istari were there by design to consult with Elrond specifically regarding the Ring. Aragorn the Dúnedan was also there, knowing of the ring, and having assisted Frodo and his friends with their journey to Rivendell in Gandalf’s absence.

The council meeting started with some introductions and sharing of concerns by several present, followed by Elrond’s narration of the history of the Ring and how it came to be lost. Frodo then produced the Ring, followed by narratives by Bilbo and Gandalf regarding its finding and finally the confirmation that the ring was indeed The One.

Much was spoken about the events and of dreams of some of the attendees, and ultimately the talk turned to the ring and what to do with it. Boromir pleaded that this Ring should go to Gondor and be used to help in their fight against Sauron. It was suggested it be given to Tom Bombadil, who seemed to be unaffected by its power, but this was too risky. Other avenues were considered, including throwing it into the sea. All were but a delay to its eventual resurfacing again. In the end the only viable option was agreed to be its destruction – its unmaking in Mount Doom, the place of its original forging. Only this would free middle earth from Sauron’s menace forever.

The question of who would bear the ring to Mount Doom took center stage. Bilbo offered to bear it one more time in an effort to complete what he had started. Gandalf informed him though that the ring had moved on, and his part was done. A long time was spent in silence, as the council pondered the question, but no one spoke a word until at last Frodo offered to carry the Ring there himself – an announcement that surprised them all. Yet Elrond agreed it seemed the task had been appointed to be Frodo’s burden to carry. At this point, Sam (not having been invited to attend) leaped from where he’d been hiding, and demanded to accompany Frodo on the journey, which was accepted. A few days passed, after which the other companions were chosen who were to accompany Frodo, the total being nine, called the Nine Walkers, forming the Fellowship of the Ring,[5] to be set against the Nine Riders of Sauron.

The Council was attended by Elrond; his sons Elladan and Elrohir; Erestor, his chief counsellor; Glorfindel; Glóin and his son Gimli; Aragorn; Bilbo; Frodo; Galdor of the Grey Havens who had come on an errand from Cirdan the Shipwright; Legolas as a messenger from his father Thranduil King of the Elves of northern Mirkwood, and Boromir, a man from the southern Kingdom of Gondor. (Samwise Gamgee was also there in hiding, not having been invited.)

1. ^The Lord Of The Rings: Book Two: Chapter 2: The Council Of Elrond
2. ^Hammond and Scull; LoTR A Reader's Companion, 2005, pg. 222
3. ^The Hobbit: Chapter 5, Riddles in the Dark
4. ^LoTR: The Fellowship of the Ring: Book 1 – A Long-Expected Party
5. ^This became the basis for the title of LoTR Book 1, containing the first two of the 6 books comprising the full tale.